Inside the Lakers’ Buss Family Feud Over Jeanie’s Fight

Updated August 17, 2026 10 min read

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TL;DR: Jeanie Buss, controlling owner of the Los Angeles Lakes, is publicly contesting her siblings’ plan to sell the family’s remaining stake in the NBA franchise. The dispute centers on a proposed deal involving high-profile buyers including Disney CEO Bob Iger and Joshua Kushner. The Buss family’s internal power struggle has escalated into a legal and public relations battle that threatens to reshape one of professional sports’ most storied ownership structures.

Jeanie Buss Controlling Owner Contesting Family’s Sale of Lakers Stake

Jeanie Buss is fighting to block her siblings from selling the Buss family’s remaining ownership stake in the Los Angeles Lakers. The controlling owner of the franchise has formally opposed the proposed transaction, which reportedly involves buyers including Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger and investor Joshua Kushner. The dispute has drawn intense national attention as one of the NBA’s most high-profile family ownership conflicts in recent memory.

Quick Answer

Jeanie Buss is contesting her siblings’ decision to sell the Buss family’s remaining stake in the Los Angeles Lakers, an NBA franchise valued at several billion dollars. The proposed sale involves prominent buyers including Disney CEO Bob Iger and investor Joshua Kushner. Jeanie Buss, who serves as controlling owner, argues the sale violates family agreements and threatens her authority over the team.

Key Takeaways

Jeanie Buss has formally opposed the sale of the Buss family’s remaining ownership stake in the Los Angeles Lakers
The proposed buyers include Disney CEO Bob Iger and Joshua Kushner, raising the profile of the dispute
Jeanie Buss holds the controlling ownership position and argues the sale undermines her authority
The legal and public battle could reshape the NBA franchise’s ownership structure
The conflict mirrors long-standing tensions among the Buss siblings over control of the team

What Is the Buss Family Feud Over the Lakers?

The Buss family feud centers on a proposed sale of the family’s remaining ownership stake in the Los Angeles Lakers. Jeanie Buss, who serves as the team’s controlling owner and CEO, is actively contesting the deal. According to reports from ESPN and USA Today, Jeanie argues that her siblings cannot unilaterally sell their interests in a way that disrupts the family’s governance structure or her position atop the organization.

The Lakers, founded by the late Dr. Jerry Buss in 1979, have remained under family ownership for over four decades. When Dr. Buss passed away in 2013, he left ownership stakes to his six children, with Jeanie designated as the controlling owner. This arrangement has been a source of recurring tension among the siblings, culminating in the current legal dispute.

Who Are the Reportedly Proposed Buyers?

According to Yahoo Sports UK and other outlets, the buyers involved in the proposed transaction include Bob Iger, the CEO of The Walt Disney Company, and Joshua Kushner, a prominent venture capitalist and the brother-in-law of former President Donald Trump through his marriage to Ivanka Trump. The involvement of such high-profile figures has amplified media coverage of the dispute and raised questions about who could ultimately control one of the NBA’s most valuable franchises.

The Lakers are widely estimated to be worth more than $7 billion, making any ownership transaction a landmark event in professional sports. The identities of the proposed buyers signal serious financial backing and have added urgency to Jeanie Buss’s opposition.

Why Is Jeanie Buss Opposing the Sale?

Jeanie Buss opposes the sale for several interconnected reasons that span legal, financial, and personal dimensions. At the core of her position is the argument that the sale violates longstanding family agreements about how the Lakers ownership is managed and transferred.

Jeanie has maintained that she was entrusted with controlling authority over the franchise by her late father, Dr. Jerry Buss. Selling the family’s remaining stake to outside buyers could dilute or eliminate her control, fundamentally altering the governance structure her father established. She views the sale as a direct threat to her leadership position.

Legal and Governance Concerns

According to RealGM’s reporting, Jeanie Buss has raised legal objections to the sale process itself. Her position suggests that her siblings do not have the authority to force a sale without her consent, particularly given her role as controlling owner. The legal battle involves questions about shareholder agreements, fiduciary duties, and the specific terms of Dr. Jerry Buss’s estate plan.

The dispute likely hinges on whether the family trust or operating agreements contain provisions that require unanimous consent for a sale, or whether Jeanie’s controlling ownership stake gives her veto power over such transactions. These legal nuances will be critical as the case progresses.

Emotional and Legacy Considerations

Beyond the legal arguments, the feud carries deep emotional weight. Jeanie Buss has frequently spoken publicly about her commitment to honoring her father’s legacy. For her, the Lakers are not simply a financial asset but a family institution that her father built from the ground up. Selling the team to outside investors represents, in her view, an abandonment of the family’s connection to the franchise.

She has built her identity around the Lakers organization for decades, starting as a teenager working in her father’s businesses. The prospect of losing control over the team she considers her life’s work adds a deeply personal dimension to the dispute.

How Did the Buss Family Ownership Structure Develop?

Dr. Jerry Buss purchased the Los Angeles Lakers in 1979 for approximately $67.5 million. Over the following three decades, he transformed the franchise into one of the most successful and valuable organizations in professional sports, winning 10 NBA championships during his ownership.

When Dr. Buss passed away on February 18, 2013, his estate was divided among his six children. Each child received an equal 14% stake in the team, while Jeanie was designated as the controlling owner. This structure meant that while the siblings shared economic interest equally, Jeanie held the decision-making authority for the franchise.

Family Member	Approximate Stake	Role
Jeanie Buss	~14%	Controlling Owner and CEO
Johnny Buss	~14%	Board of Directors
Jim Buss	~14%	Former Executive VP of Basketball Operations
Janie Buss	~14%	Board of Directors
Jesse Buss	~14%	Scouting and Development
Joey Buss	~14%	Los Angeles D-Fenders (now South Bay Lakers)

The structure has been a source of friction since Dr. Buss’s passing. In 2017, a notable power struggle erupted when Jim Buss and Johnny Buss attempted to remove Jeanie as controlling owner. She successfully fought off that challenge, consolidating her authority and even making significant front-office changes, including the hiring of Magic Johnson as president of basketball operations and Rob Pelinka as general manager.

What Are the Potential Outcomes of This Dispute?

The legal and personal battle between Jeanie Buss and her siblings could resolve in several ways, each with significant implications for the Lakers and the broader NBA landscape.

Outcome 1: Sale Blocked

If Jeanie Buss successfully argues in court that she has veto power over the sale, the transaction would be halted. This outcome would preserve the current family ownership structure and Jeanie’s position as controlling owner. However, it could further fracture family relationships and create lasting animosity among the siblings.

Outcome 2: Sale Proceeds With Conditions

A potential compromise could allow the sale to proceed with conditions that protect Jeanie’s interests or provide her with financial compensation for her loss of control. This middle-ground scenario would bring new ownership into the fold while potentially preserving some continuity in the franchise’s leadership.

Outcome 3: Full Sale to Outside Buyers

If the courts rule in favor of the selling siblings, the Buss family’s remaining stake could transfer to Bob Iger, Joshua Kushner, or other buyers. This would mark the end of over four decades of Buss family ownership and introduce new controllers to one of professional sports’ most iconic franchises.

The NBA would also need to approve any ownership transfer under its constitution and bylaws. League Commissioner Adam Silver and the NBA Board of Governors would review the transaction, and the league could impose conditions or even block a sale it deems detrimental to the sport.

What Does This Mean for the Future of the Lakers?

The ownership dispute creates uncertainty at a critical time for the Los Angeles Lakers. The franchise continues to compete in the Western Conference and has invested heavily in its roster and brand. A change in ownership or prolonged legal battles could affect the team’s ability to make major decisions about player acquisitions, facility investments, and business operations.

According to industry data, NBA franchise valuations have risen dramatically in recent years, driven by massive media rights deals. The NBA’s current television agreements with Disney and NBC, announced in 2024, are worth approximately $76 billion over 11 years. These deals significantly increased the value of every NBA franchise, including the Lakers.

The Lakers’ brand power, global fanbase, and Los Angeles market position make them one of the most valuable franchises in all of professional sports. Any ownership change at this level would be one of the largest transactions in NBA history.

FAQ: Common Questions About the Buss Family Lakers Dispute

Who is Jeanie Buss?

Jeanie Buss is the controlling owner and CEO of the Los Angeles Lakers. She is the daughter of the late Dr. Jerry Buss, who purchased the team in 1979. Jeanie has been involved with the Lakers organization since her teenage years and was designated by her father as the person who would lead the franchise after his passing.

Why can Jeanie Buss block the sale?

Jeanie Buss argues that her position as controlling owner gives her authority over major franchise decisions, including the sale of ownership stakes. Her legal position likely rests on the terms of Dr. Jerry Buss’s estate plan and any family trust or operating agreements that grant her veto power over such transactions. The specific legal mechanisms will be determined through the ongoing court proceedings.

Who are Bob Iger and Joshua Kushner?

Bob Iger is the CEO of The Walt Disney Company, one of the world’s largest media and entertainment conglomerates. Disney also holds significant NBA broadcasting rights. Joshua Kushner is a venture capitalist and founder of Thrive Capital. He is the brother of Jared Kushner and brother-in-law of Ivanka Trump. Both are reportedly involved as proposed buyers of the Buss family’s remaining Lakers stake.

How much are the Lakers worth?

The Los Angeles Lakers are estimated to be worth more than $7 billion, according to recent sports franchise valuations. The team ranks among the most valuable franchises in global professional sports, behind only the Dallas Cowboys in overall North American sports franchise valuations. The team’s value has been bolstered by its championship history, global brand recognition, and the lucrative NBA media rights deals.

Could the NBA block the sale?

Yes. Under NBA rules, any change in controlling ownership requires approval from the NBA Board of Governors. Commissioner Adam Silver and the league’s owners would review the proposed transaction. The NBA has the authority to reject a sale if it determines the new ownership would not be in the best interests of the league. This process adds another layer of complexity to the Buss family dispute.

What happened with the 2017 Buss family power struggle?

In early 2017, brothers Jim Buss and Johnny Buss attempted to remove Jeanie Buss as controlling owner of the Lakers. Jeanie fought the challenge in court and won, retaining her position. She subsequently made major organizational changes, including hiring Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka to lead the basketball operations department. That episode established a precedent for Jeanie’s willingness to assert her authority as controlling owner.

Conclusion

The Buss family feud over the sale of the Los Angeles Lakers’ remaining ownership stake represents a pivotal moment in NBA history. Jeanie Buss’s determination to contest her siblings’ proposed deal to buyers including Bob Iger and Joshua Kushner underscores the deep personal and financial stakes involved. The outcome of this dispute will determine not only who controls one of professional sports’ most valuable franchises but also set precedents for family ownership governance in professional sports.

As the legal proceedings unfold, all eyes remain on the Buss family, the NBA league office, and the courts. The Lakers’ future ownership structure will have ripple effects across the league, influencing franchise valuations, media deals, and the broader landscape of professional sports ownership for years to come. The story of Jeanie Buss fighting to preserve her father’s legacy and her family’s connection to the Los Angeles Lakers continues to develop rapidly.